Neither the state nor minority rights groups appear to be budging after court-ordered negotiations. The Texas primaries are scheduled for April 3rd, but a hearing by a three-judge panel in San Antonio may find that date impossible, without a compromise on temporary voting maps between the state and a coalition of minority rights groups.

“Well, one of the big problems is — even on the state side — you’ve got someone like Congressman Barton, who’s an intervenor, and he doesn’t necessarily agree with what the Attorney General is trying to negotiate. But on the plaintiff side, you’ve got about ten different parties, and there are significant differences between them as well as between what the state is offering.”

Dr. Murray says April 3rd appears unlikely.

“One of the basic problems about holding an election in Texas or anywhere else in the country is you have to mail out ballots for overseas military personnel at least 45 days before your election. You know, you got to print a ballot, and people know what they’re voting for. So I think April 3rd is unrealistic. April 17th is just barely realistic, assuming something gets done this week. But after that, we’re looking at a primary in May or June.”

At stake is the political balance of power in Texas and Congress.

“The level of public interest here is not tremendous. The level of interest among the political class in intense.”

A compromise offered by the Texas Attorney General last week was widely rejected by democrats and a coalition of minority rights groups.